Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the witnesses for their presentations. I take up where Senator McDowell left off. Mr. Finlay said in his opening remarks that sport and betting have become deeply intertwined. I am sure that some if not all of our witnesses will have a significant presence in the coming weeks in Cheltenham. For the majority of people who attend, it is an annual ritual involving responsible gambling. However, there is an element of excessive gambling involved as well. Do the witnesses believe the link we see between participants in these sporting events and large betting companies undermines the integrity of the racing industry? Should there be, whether by virtue of the regulator or the racing industry, greater distance between participants in sporting events and the offering of betting advice to the public on individual races?